Mug House

Mesa Verde National Park Tours

Mug House tours are anticipated to start on May 22, 2026.

Named for three mugs tied together with yucca rope found hanging inside one of its rooms, Mug House was a village of 80 to 100 residents during the 1100 to 1200s CE. Along the rough trail to Mug House, tours will also experience Adobe Cave, Ancestral Pueblo rock art, and wonderful views of Rock Canyon.

NOTE: All Ranger-Led tours will require reservations through the Recreation.gov website or toll-free number 1-877-444-6777. Reservations are available 7 days in advance, beginning at 8:00 am MDT and fill up early. However, if someone cancels their reservation these tickets become available and can be purchased only at recreation.gov up to two hours before a tour.

Reserving a tour is much easier if you create a recreation.gov account in advance. Go to recreation.gov and select the "Sign Up/Log In" tab in the upper right corner. For more information on the variety of tours offered in the upcoming season, please visit the Mesa Verde National Park Cliff Dwelling Tours page .

This tour starts at the Wetherill Mesa Pavilion, located a 90 minute drive from the park Entrance. Vehicles over 25 feet (8 m) long and 8,000 lbs. (3,628 kg) GVW are prohibited on this road. 

If you plan to book a second tour on the same day on Wetherill Mesa, we highly suggest you give yourself at least three hours between start times (i.e., 9:00 am Mug House and a 12:00 pm or later Long House tour). Give yourself at least 4 hrs. between the time you book this Mug House tour and a tour on Chapin Mesa (i.e., 9:00 am Mug House and a 1:00 pm or later Cliff Palace tour).

Select a date to see a list of times

Need to Know

• What to Expect

  This strenuous 120-minute ranger-led tour is a 2.25-mile (3.6 km) round-trip along an unpaved, uneven trail that descends 100 ft (30 m), and includes steep drop-offs, switchbacks, and scrambling up and down boulders. Each hiker must be able to scramble over boulders, navigate steep unpaved trails, and descend/ascend ladders unassisted. You will climb down and up a rocky path with steep uneven steps and a 12 foot (3.7m) ladder.

  Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots and bring a minimum of 2 quarts (2 liters) of water per person. Ancestral sites are vulnerable to damage caused by rodents attracted to food crumbs. Food, gum, tobacco, and sugary beverages are not permitted within the site during your tour.

• Safety Information

  Mug House tours can be strenuous. Know your physical health and fitness before joining a tour. Elevations range between 7,000 and 7,500 feet (2134 m and 2286 m) above sea level. You should plan for all weather possibilities because conditions can vary. It's possible to begin your hike in full sun and end with a thunderstorm. Bring a minimum of 2 quarts (2 liters) of water per person. 

  This hike may not be appropriate for young children. Each hiker must be able to scramble over boulders, navigate steep gravel trails, and descend/ascend ladders unassisted. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

  Cameras are welcome, but you must be able to carry all of your gear while keeping your hands free to climb the ladders. No tripods are allowed.

• Tour Directions

  From the park entrance, drive 15.1 miles (24.3 km) to the turn-off for Wetherill Mesa – Long House (on your right, between the Far View Lodge and Far View Terrace). Turn right. Drive 12 miles (19.3 km) to reach the Wetherill Mesa. Meet the ranger at the Wetherill Mesa kiosk. Vehicles over 25 ft (8m) and 8,000 lbs. (3,628 kg) GVW are not permitted on the Wetherill Mesa Road.

  To make sure you arrive on time, allow 90 minutes to drive from the park entrance to the Wetherill Mesa pavilion.

  Meet the ranger at the pavilion at 8:45 am. Hikers depart for Mug House promptly at 9:00. You MUST arrive 15 minutes early for a safety and logistics briefing before your tour. 

• Tour Dates

  May 22 to October 21 - 9:00 am, daily.

  October 22: Closed for the season. No tours.

• Tour Capacity

  Tour is limited to 10 people.

• Tour Price

  Price: $25.00 per person, ages 3 and up. There is NO cell service at the trailhead. You MUST physically print your tour reservation at home OR download it to your phone to show the ranger before joining the tour. You will NOT be able to join the tour without a valid tour reservation presented. Late arrivals may result in forfeiting your tour. No refunds for late arrivals.

• Refunds

  All reservations are NON-TRANSFERABLE AND NON-REFUNDABLE unless the tour is cancelled by the National Park Service.

• GPS Coordinates

  Latitude: 37.195657

  Longitude: -108.537523

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